As a powerful earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 7 struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan, the Japanese government moved swiftly to carry out rescue and recovery operations. On the evening of the 28th, the government held the first meeting of the Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that approximately 3,600 Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel had been deployed to the affected areas for rescue operations in response to Kumamoto Prefecture's disaster dispatch request. He then instructed officials to assess the full extent of the damage as quickly as possible and to make every effort to save and rescue affected residents, even if it meant working through the night. He also emphasized that the government would work in close cooperation with local municipalities to formulate countermeasures with all available resources. In particular, he ordered the swift provision of food, drinking water, and other essential supplies, as well as portable cooling equipment and mobile power generation vehicles to improve evacuation conditions and prevent heatstroke amid soaring temperatures.

The earthquake also triggered major accidents and damage to industrial facilities. Around 6:00 p.m. on the 28th, multiple reports were received that the exterior wall of "Aeon Mall Kumamoto," located in Mifune-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture, had collapsed. The local police station immediately launched a search operation, taking into account the possibility that people might be trapped inside the facility. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, a chimney also collapsed at a factory in Yatsushiro City, and rescue operations are currently underway.

Major manufacturers have also halted factory operations due to the earthquake. Toyota Motor Corporation announced that it had suspended operations at a plant in Fukuoka Prefecture operated by its subsidiary, Toyota Motor Kyushu. No casualties or facility damage have been confirmed, and operations are scheduled to resume on the 29th. Toyota stated that it would prioritize the safety of its personnel and determine its future response based on the latest developments.

Honda also halted operations at its Kumamoto Factory (a motorcycle production hub) located in Ozu-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture. Operations will be suspended until the morning of the 29th, with a decision on whether to resume in the afternoon to be made later. When the earthquake struck, sprinklers were activated, causing water leakage and flooding in some areas, but no casualties were reported.

[This article was partially produced with the assistance of AI.]